Surface collectible

ABSTRACT

A surface collectible (10) includes a surface member (12) and a textile (316) secured to the surface member (12). The surface member (12) is detached from a venue surface (11). The surface member (12) can be event-used. In one embodiment, the surface member (12) can include flooring. The textile (316) can include at least a portion of an article of clothing. The article of clothing can also be event-used. The surface collectible (10) can also include an image (214) imprinted on the surface member (12). The image (214) can include a sporting logo. Alternatively, the image (214) can include at least one of a professional athlete, a non-professional athlete, an athletically-involved person, an entertainer, an actor, a historical figure and a public figure. The surface collectible (10) may further include an autograph (418) inscribed on the surface member (12) and/or on the textile (316).

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/614,202 filed on Jan. 5, 2018 and entitled “HARDWOOD COURTCOLLECTIBLE”. As far as permitted, the contents of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/614,202 are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Sports collectibles or memorabilia generally refers to a souvenir, amemento and/or a keepsake that is directly connected to past, presentand future athletes, sports teams and/or sporting events, whether it beprofessional or non-professional (i.e., semi-professional, collegiate,amateur, etc.). Sports collectibles often include photos, trading cards,autographs, uniforms and/or other related sports equipment.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed toward a surface collectible. Invarious embodiments, the surface collectible includes a surface memberand a textile secured to the surface member. The surface member can bedetached from a venue surface. The surface member can be formed from amaterial that forms a portion of a sporting venue, an entertainmentvenue, a historical landmark, or any other suitable location ofsignificance. In certain embodiments, the surface member can have beenused during a sporting event, an entertainment event, a historicalevent, or any other suitable event of significance. In one embodiment,the surface member can include hardwood flooring or flooring from anyother sporting event, entertainment event, historical event, or anyother event of significance. In alternative embodiments, the surfacemember can have been taken from any portion of a sporting arena,stadium, rink, court, etc., including portions of walls, floors, gates,ceilings, benches, seats, sporting equipment, or any otherinstrumentality used in any given sport, entertainment, celebrity orpublic event. The surface member can be formed from any suitablematerial, i.e. wood, plastic, plexiglass, glass, metal, composites,etc., as non-exclusive examples.

In certain embodiments, the textile can include at least a portion of anarticle of clothing. In one embodiment, the article of clothing caninclude a sports uniform. In certain embodiments, the article ofclothing can be event-used. As used herein, the term “event-used” meansactually used during a sporting event, entertainment event, historicalevent, or any other suitable event of significance.

In some embodiments, the surface collectible can also include an imageimprinted on the surface member. In one embodiment, the image caninclude a photograph or artwork. In another embodiment, the image caninclude a graphic. In still another embodiment, the image can include adigital image. In yet another embodiment, the image can include acomputer generated image. In even another embodiment, the image caninclude a hologram.

In certain embodiments, the image can include a sporting logo. In otherembodiments, the image can include at least one of a professionalathlete, a non-professional athlete and an athletically-involved person.

Additionally, in various embodiments, the surface collectible canfurther include an autograph inscribed on the surface member. Inalternative embodiments, the autograph can be inscribed on the textile.

The present invention is further directed toward a method formanufacturing a surface collectible. The method includes the steps ofremoving a surface member from a venue surface and securing a textile tothe surface member. In some embodiments, the step of removing caninclude detaching at least a portion of a hardwood flooring. In otherembodiments, the step of securing can include securing at least aportion of a sports uniform to the surface member.

In various embodiments, the method can also include the step ofimprinting an image on the surface member. In such embodiments, the stepof imprinting can include imprinting at least one of a sporting logo orother trademark or mark, a professional athlete, a non-professionalathlete, an entertainer, a celebrity, and an athletically-involvedperson.

In other embodiments, the method can further include the step ofinscribing an autograph on the surface member. In alternativeembodiments, the method can include the step of inscribing the autographon the textile.

In certain applications, the present invention is further directedtoward a surface collectible. The surface collectible includes a surfacemember, a textile secured to the surface member, an image imprinted onthe surface member and an autograph inscribed on the surface member. Thesurface member is event-used and detached from a venue surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself,both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood fromthe accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdescription, in which similar reference characters refer to similarparts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic view of a venue and one embodiment of aportion of a surface collectible having features of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a simplified front view of another embodiment of the surfacecollectible;

FIG. 3 is a simplified front view of still another embodiment of thesurface collectible;

FIG. 4 is a simplified front view of yet another embodiment of thesurface collectible;

FIG. 5 is a simplified front view of even another embodiment of thesurface collectible; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart outlining one embodiment of a method for making asurface collectible.

DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are described herein in the contextof a surface collectible. Those of ordinary skill in the art willrealize that the following detailed description of the present inventionis illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting.Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggestthemselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of thisdisclosure. Reference will now be made in detail to implementations ofthe present invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of theimplementations described herein are shown and described. It will, ofcourse, be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be madein order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliancewith application-related and business-related constraints, and thatthese specific goals will vary from one implementation to another andfrom one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated thatsuch a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but wouldnevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic view of one embodiment of a surfacecollectible 10. The design, material(s) and/or configuration of thesurface collectible 10 can vary. Although the surface collectible 10 inFIG. 1 is specifically shown with respect to the sport of basketball, itis understood and appreciated that other professional sportscollectibles, other non-professional sports and entertainmentcollectibles and/or other collectibles from events other than sportingevents can equally benefit by the teachings provided herein. In certainembodiments, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the surfacecollectible 10 can include one or more of a surface member 12. It isunderstood that the surface collectible 10 can include additional ordifferent components than those specifically illustrated herein.

In various embodiments, the surface member 12 includes a portion of avenue surface 11 that is detached or removed from the venue surface 11from a venue 13. As referred to herein, the venue surface 11 can beincluded in any portion of a sporting venue, an entertainment venue, ahistorical venue or any other suitable type of venue 13. The surfacemember 12 can include any suitable type of flooring, walls, ceiling,court, seats, benches, fields and/or surfaces of any professional ornon-professional sporting venue, with such sports including, withoutlimitation, basketball, baseball, football, hockey, soccer, tennis, etc.In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the surface member 12 caninclude, by way of one non-exclusive example, a portion of the originaland/or actual hardwood flooring of a professional basketball team. WhileFIG. 1 illustrates the hardwood flooring of the professional basketballteam, it is understood that the surface member 12 may include a portionof the venue surface 11 of any professional and/or non-professionalsports individual or team, or a public/historical figure, entertainer,etc. As referred to herein, the term non-professional may includesemi-professional, collegiate and/or amateur sports individuals orteams, or entertainers or celebrities, or public figures. In someembodiments, the surface member 12 can be event-used. As used herein inreference to the surface member 12, “event-used” means that the surfacemember formed part of or was included in a venue 13 that was actuallyused at some point for a sporting event, entertainment or celebrityevent, historical event, or any other suitable event of anysignificance. The surface member 12 can be formed from any suitablematerial, i.e. wood, plastic, plexiglass, glass, metal, composites,etc., as non-exclusive examples.

Further, it is also appreciated that the drawings included herewith arenot necessarily drawn to scale. For example, in FIG. 1, the size of thesurface member 12 is not necessarily to scale to the size of the venuesurface 11 for purposes of clarity in demonstrating certain features andlimitations of the surface member 12.

FIG. 2 is a simplified front view of another embodiment of a surfacecollectible 210. In certain embodiments, such as the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 2, the surface collectible 210 can include one ormore of a surface collectible outer perimeter 211, the surface member212, a surface member edge 213, and an image 214. As illustrated in FIG.2, the surface member edge 213 can form at least a portion of thesurface collectible outer perimeter 211. Additionally, or in thealternative, the surface member edge 213 can form the entire surfacecollectible outer perimeter 211. It is understood that the surfacecollectible 210 can include fewer or additional components than thosespecifically illustrated herein.

In certain embodiments, the surface member 212 can have a shape, a sizeand/or a thickness that varies depending on the design requirements ofthe surface collectible 210. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2,the surface member 212 has a somewhat rectangular shape. In otherembodiments, the surface member 212 can have a somewhat square shape,triangular shape, trapezoidal shape, star shape, circular shape,polygonal shape, or any other suitable geometrical shape, asnon-exclusive examples. Alternatively, the surface member 212 can have arandom shape that includes curves and/or linear edges. Further, in oneembodiment, the surface member 212 can have a width of approximately 5″,a length of approximately 7″, and the thickness of approximately ¼″.Additionally, and/or alternatively, the surface member 212 can be of anyother suitable shape, size and/or thickness.

In various embodiments, the image 214 can include a photograph, agraphic, a digital image, artwork, a computer generated image, ahologram, etc. The image 214 can be color and/or black and white.Alternatively, the image 214 can include any other suitable format thatallows the image 214 to be imprinted on to the surface member 212. Asreferred to herein, the term imprinted can include stamping, embedding,adhering, printing, sealing, painting, embossing, imprinting,inscribing, etc.

In some embodiments, the image 214 can depict and/or have a relativelysimilar appearance to a professional or non-professional individual orteam logo or other mark, trademark, or similar indicia (hereinaftersometimes collectively referred to as a “sporting logo”) and/or a personsuch as a professional or non-professional athlete or otherathletically-involved persons (hereinafter sometimes collectivelyreferred to as an “athlete”). As used herein, a professional athleteincludes any person that is/was employed and/or plays/played for aprofessional sports team. Further, as used herein, a non-professionalathlete can include any person that is/was employed and/or plays/playedfor a non-professional, semi-professional, collegiate or amateur sportsteam, public figure, entertainer, celebrity, singer, influencer, actor,etc. Still further, as used herein, “athletically-involved person”includes persons such as players, former players, coaches, managers,owners, etc., or any other person that may be involved or associatedwith a sport or a sporting team. Alternatively, the image 214 can depictnon-sports figures, such as entertainers, actors, historical figures,public figures, or any other suitable person, animal, character, etc.

While the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 shows one image 214, it isappreciated that the surface collectible 210 can include any number ofimages, i.e., a first image, a second image, etc. Additionally, it isfurther understood that although FIG. 2 illustrates the components ofthe surface collectible 210 in a particular position, sequence and/ororder, these components can be located in any suitably differentposition, sequence and/or order than that illustrated in FIG. 2.

In certain embodiments, the image 214 can be imprinted on the surfacemember 212. The image 214 can be imprinted on to the surface member 212via any suitable manner or method. Additionally, the image 214 can beimprinted on to any portion and/or at any location of the surface member212.

FIG. 3 is a simplified front view of still another embodiment of thesurface collectible 310. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, thesurface collectible 310 includes one or more of a surface collectibleouter perimeter 311, the surface member 312, a surface member edge 313,and a textile 316. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the surface member edge 313can form at least a portion of the surface collectible outer perimeter311. Additionally, or in the alternative, the surface member edge 313can form the surface collectible outer perimeter 311.

In certain embodiments, the textile 316 can include at least a portionof an article of clothing, which may include a portion of a uniform ofan athlete or non-athlete, for example. As one non-exclusive example,the article of clothing can include a portion of a sports uniform, suchas a jersey, as one non-exclusive example. As other non-exclusiveexamples, the article of clothing can include at least a portion ofshorts, socks, shoes, pants, shirt, hat, etc., and/or othersports-related or non-sports-related clothing or equipment.Alternatively, the textile 316 can include any other suitable article ofclothing or textile used during the course of a sporting event,entertainment or celebrity event, historical event or any other suitableevent of significance. In one embodiment, the textile 316 can beevent-used. As referred to herein in relation to the textile 316, theterm “event-used” means worn, used, or in effect on during a sportingevent, entertainment or celebrity event, historical event, or any othersuitable event of significance. In certain non-exclusive embodiments,the textile can be a portion of sporting equipment, such as a portion ofa ball, a bat, a glove, or any other suitable type of equipment.

While the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 shows one textile 316, it isappreciated that the surface collectible 310 can include any number oftextiles, i.e., a first textile, a second textile, etc. Additionally, itis further understood that although FIG. 3 illustrates the components ofthe surface collectible 310 in a particular position, sequence and/ororder, these components can be located in any suitably differentposition, sequence and/or order than that illustrated in FIG. 3.

In some embodiments, the textile 316 can be secured to the surfacemember 312. As referred to herein, the term secured can include tofasten, attach, embed, implant, insert, etc. The textile 316 can besecured to the surface member 312 via any suitable manner or method.Further, the textile 316 can be secured to any portion and/or at anylocation of the surface member 312. Additionally, in some embodiments,as shown in FIG. 3, the textile 316 can be secured to and in contactwith only a first side 312A, e.g., a front side or top side, of thesurface member 312. Moreover, as illustrated, with such design, both thesurface member 312 and the textile 316 are visible and/or exposed.

FIG. 4 is a simplified front view of yet another embodiment of thesurface collectible 410. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, thesurface collectible 410 includes one or more of the surface member 412,the image 414 and an autograph 418.

In certain embodiments, the autograph 418 can be positioned directly onthe surface member 412. In other words, a person can inscribe his and/orher autograph 418 directly onto the surface member 412. Stated anotherway, the autograph 418 can include an autograph of a professionalathlete, a non-professional athlete and/or an athletically-involvedperson directly on the surface member 412. Alternatively, the autograph418 can include an autograph of an entertainer, public figure,celebrity, influencer, singer, actor, historical figure, etc. Stillalternatively, the autograph 418 can be positioned directly on the image414 and/or the textile 316 (illustrated in FIG. 3). In one embodiment,the autograph 418 can be positioned partially on the image 414. Further,the autograph 418 can be inscribed on any portion and/or at any locationof the surface member 412. As used herein, the term “autograph” caninclude an actual or digital or facsimile signature, an inscriptionand/or an imprint (such as handprints, footprints or prints from anyother suitable body part).

Additionally, while the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 shows oneautograph 418, it is appreciated that the surface collectible 410 caninclude any number of autographs, i.e., a first autograph, a secondautograph, etc. Additionally, it is understood that although FIG. 4illustrates the components of the surface collectible 410 in aparticular position, sequence and/or order, these components can belocated in any suitable position, sequence and/or order other than thatillustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a simplified front view of even another embodiment of thesurface collectible 510. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, thesurface collectible 510 includes one or more of the surface member 512,the image 514, the textile 516 and the autograph 518. However, in thisembodiment, the autograph 518 is positioned on the textile 516.

It is understood that while the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 showsone image 514, one textile 516 and one autograph 518, it is appreciatedthat the surface collectible 510 can include any number of images,textiles and/or autographs. Additionally, it is further understood thatalthough FIG. 5 illustrates the components of the surface collectible510 in a particular position, sequence and/or order, these componentscan be located in any suitably different position, sequence and/or orderthan that illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of a method for makingthe surface collectible 610. It is appreciated that the order of thesteps illustrated and described in FIG. 6 is not necessarily indicativeof how the method of making the surface collectible 610 functionschronologically, as one or more of the steps can be combined, reordered,and/or performed simultaneously without deviating from the intendedbreadth and scope of the method for making the surface collectible 610.It is understood that one or more steps illustrated in FIG. 6 can beomitted, and/or additional steps can be included which are notnecessarily shown or described herein.

At step 620, the surface member is detached from a venue surface, whichmay include any flooring, court, field, wall, gate, fence and/or othersuitable venue surface.

At step 622, the textile is secured to the surface member. In variousembodiments, at least a portion of any article of clothing, may besecured to the surface member. The textile may be secured to the surfacemember via any suitable manner or method. For example, a portion of thetextile may be embedded or implanted in the surface member.Alternatively, the textile can be secured to or enclosed in or with thesurface member via an adhesive material, plastic or metal fasteners,hook and loop fasteners, or any other suitable manner for attaching thetextile to the surface member. In an alternative embodiment, the textilecan be secured to the surface member prior to detachment or removal ofthe surface member from the venue surface.

At step 624, the image can be imprinted on the surface member. Incertain embodiments the image may include sporting logos, professionalathletes, non-professional athletes, other athletically-involvedpersons, entertainers, celebrities, influencers, historical figures,public figures, etc. The image can be imprinted onto the surface membervia any suitable manner or method. In some embodiments, the image can beimprinted on to the surface member with the use of computers, vinylcutter plotters, digital plotters, paint or dye sublimation and heattransfer, as certain non-exclusive examples.

At step 626, the autograph can be directly inscribed on the surfacemember. In various embodiments, the autograph can be witnessed by arepresentative and authenticated (hereinafter sometimes referred tosimply as an “authentic autograph”). Alternatively, the autograph can bea representation of an autograph rather than an original autograph. Theautograph can be positioned directly on the textile or the autograph canbe positioned directly on the image.

It is understood that although a number of different embodiments of thesurface collectible have been illustrated and described herein, one ormore features of any one embodiment can be combined with one or morefeatures of one or more of the other embodiments, provided that suchcombination satisfies the intent of the present invention.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments of the surfacecollectible have been discussed above, those of skill in the art willrecognize certain modifications, permutations, additions andsub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the followingappended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted toinclude all such modifications, permutations, additions andsub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A surface collectible having a surfacecollectible outer perimeter, the surface collectible comprising: asurface member that is detached from a venue surface, the surface memberbeing selected from the group consisting of flooring, walls, ceilings,courts, seats, benches and fields, the surface member having a surfacemember edge that forms the entirety of the surface collectible outerperimeter; and a textile that is secured to and in contact with thesurface member so that at least a portion of the surface member and thetextile are exposed.
 2. The surface collectible of claim 1 wherein thesurface member is event-used.
 3. The surface collectible of claim 1wherein the surface member includes flooring material.
 4. The surfacecollectible of claim 1 wherein the textile includes at least a portionof an article of clothing.
 5. The surface collectible of claim 4 whereinthe article of clothing includes a portion of a sports uniform.
 6. Thesurface collectible of claim 1 wherein the surface member includes asurface of a sporting venue.
 7. The surface collectible of claim 1further comprising an image imprinted on the surface member.
 8. Thesurface collectible of claim 7 wherein the image includes at least oneof a photograph, a graphic, a digital image, artwork, a computergenerated image and a hologram.
 9. The surface collectible of claim 7wherein the image includes a logo.
 10. The surface collectible of claim7 wherein the image includes at least one of a professional athlete, anon-professional athlete, an athletically-involved person, anentertainer, an actor, a historical figure and a public figure.
 11. Thesurface collectible of claim 1 further comprising an autograph inscribedon the surface member.
 12. The surface collectible of claim 1 furthercomprising an autograph inscribed on the textile.